Tragedy-hit Brazilian club Chapecoense sacks coach

Vagner Mancini talks to the players during his short spell as Chapecoense coach. Photo: REUTERS/Diego Vara

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Some seven months after 19 of its players were killed in a plane crash, Brazilian football club Chapecoense has sacked its coach Vagner Mancini, citing a lack of sporting success.

Despite a strong start to the season in Brazil's top division, the southern Brazilian side now sits in 15th position after 11 games.

"Our board of directors recognizes the significant work done by Vagner Mancini in the process of rebuilding the club," said President Plinio David De Nes Filho in a statement, before adding that Mancini had achieved "important results" this season.

The 50-year-old, who only started his job at Chapecoense in December, is to be replaced initially by Emerson Cris, a former player at the club.

Almost all of Chapecoense's senior players and coaching staff died after a Lamia Airlines plane crashed near Medellin in Colombia on November 28, with the team and accompanying journalists on board.